title: Optimizing the use of a skin prick test device on children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies comparing skin prick test (SPT) devices have revealed varying results in performance and there is little known about their use on children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed 2 complementary studies to test the sensitivity, reproducibility and acceptability of commercially available SPT devices (Stallerpoint, Antony, France) using different application techniques. In the first part, histamine/saline was put on as a drop by use of a vial (V), and in the second part it was transferred from a well with the aid of the test device (W). The techniques were as follows: apply vertical pressure (Stallerpoint-VP or Stallerpoint-WP), apply vertical pressure with 90° clockwise rotation (Stallerpoint-VC or Stallerpoint-WC) and apply vertical pressure with 90° clockwise and counter-clockwise rotations (Stallerpoint-VCC or Stallerpoint-WCC). For comparison, ALK Lancet was used with a technique of 'drop and apply vertical pressure'.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the first part, sensitivities of the Stallerpoint-VC (96.6%), Stallerpoint-VCC (95.5%) and ALK Lancet (93.2%) techniques were superior (p < 0.001) to the other Stallerpoint-VP and Stallerpoint-WP techniques (76.1 and 46.6%). Intrapatient coefficient of variation (CV) values were 15.0, 18.9, 15.4, 22.4 and 48.5%, respectively. Interpatient CV ranged between 22.8 and 55.1%. In the second part, the Stallerpoint-WC (98.8%), WCC (97.5%) and ALK Lancet (98.8%) techniques yielded high sensitivities, whereas the sensitivity of Stallerpoint-WP (28.7%) was very low. There were false-positive reactions in the Stallerpoint-VCC and WCC techniques.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In children, the SPT technique was found to be as important as the testing device. Stallerpoint-VC and WC techniques are reliable, tolerable and comparable with the ALK Lancet technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Allergy and Asthma Unit, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Betul
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Buyuktiryaki
authors.forename: Umit Murat
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Sahiner
authors.forename: Erdem
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cavkaytar
authors.forename: Ayfer
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tuncer
authors.forename: Bulent Enis
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Sekerel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000592:standards*